Color cinematography.



Cd N1BENNETT.

COLOR GINEMATOGRAPHY.

APPLICATION man A1 11.29,1913.

1.217,391. Pe1ented Feb. 27,191?

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

bei

C. N, BENNE,

COLOR CINEMTOGRAPHY.

APPLIcmoN msn Am. 29. 1913.

Patened Feb. 27, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2v.

STATES PATENT orrron.

COLIN NOEL BENNETT, E PENZANCE, ENGLAND.l

COLOR CINEMATOGRAPHY. l

To all w hom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CoLrN NOEL BENNETT, of 9 Morrab road, Ienzance, Cornwall, England, journalist, have/invented certain new and useful Improvements in Color Cinematography, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cinematographic color processes wherein the pictures are vtaken orprojected with the aidof a film-1 shifting mechanism pitched to tw'oor more times unit pitch, z'. e. arranged to'feed the filmv forward at each shift a distance equal to'two or more times the length or distance of a single pictiire,

on, or for projecting simultaneously from, each length of film fed forward, two or more different color sensation records of the same movement phase or so-called part pictures constituting a set. In such processes two or -more negative color sensation Arecords of the same movement phase, or so-called part pictures are taken one below another on'the film each through its corresponding color filter at each cxposure,and in projecting positives prepared from such negatives, a

corresponding picture shift isV employed, i. e. a corresponding length of film is fed forward at each period of travel, and means are provided whereby the corresponding number of color sensation records constituting a set 'are projected simultaneously by beams of light of the proper colors for the different pictures of a set and are superposed upon the screen.

For the purpose of taking such pictures I have previously proposed to employ a bat- `tery or set of lenses and corresponding color filters lfor taking the different color sensation records forming a set, and I have likewise proposedto employ for this purpose one lens in conjunction with the color filters and with mirrors or other suitable means adapted to refiect or transmit through the lens into positions von the length of film fed by each shift, the two or more color sensa.- tionrecords forming a set. l Y

The present invention aims to provide improvements or modifications in relation to methods and apparatus of the character above referred to.

According to the employed arranged invention a film-shift is to feed the film at each movement a suitable multiple of the length Specificationl of Letters Patent;

Ain combination withv -color sensation records or-part pictures`of a set are'taken simultaneously, but not in consecutive order on the film, the spaces between appertaining pictures of a set being occupied by pictures of other sets.

For two color work, the two color sensation records of a set may be so takensimultaneously that there would be a space corresponding to two picture spaces on the film between them. of the film 1', 2, 3, 4, etc. the pictures on 1 and 4L would then be taken together as a set'. Then the next shift of the film would bring spaces 3 and 6 opposite the gate openingsof the camera for the next exposure, and give the next set; then at the next shift, spaces 5 and 8 would be exposed, and so on. The, gate of the camera would have two `a ertures in it at correct s acinO a art for the purpose. Y j

For three color work the three color sensation records of a set would be taken simultaneously at suitable intervals apart, and the arrangement may for example be such that the picture spaces 1, Q-n etc., lengthwise of the film are exposed in groups of three at a time as follows 1, 5, 9; 4, 8, 12; 7, 11, 15; 10, 141, 18; 13, 17, 21; and so on.

The gate of the camera would then have Y Patented Feb. 2*?, 1917.'

' Application med april 29, 1913. serial No. 764,306.

Calling-the spaces lengthwise A battery of two lenses ployed as above described. An advantage hereinafter described can, however, be obtained by the spacing apart of the lenses of a battery.

Positive films prepared from sets of negative pictures taken on a film in the alternating manner explained will be projected in superimposition on a screen with the aid of corresponding color filters, by means of aprojector adapted to project simultaneously, and in superposition, the pictures forming a set, and having a film shift mechanism adapted to feed the film forward, at each movement, a distance equal to the combined length ofthe p ictures formi ing a set.

Figures l to 6 of the accompanyingv drawings illustrate diagrammaticallyj` arrange" ments for carryingA out the present invention. These figures may be takenls illustrative both of the camera lfor taking the pictures andof the projector v'for projecting same.

suitable arrangements for overcoming diiiculty due to parallax 1n the taking ofthe pictures.

Fig. l shows a vertical sectionlthrough projector for two the front of the camera or color work.

Fig. 2 a front elevation of same, and Fig. 3 a corresponding diagramof the film.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are corresponding views for three color work.

Figs. l and 2 show the two lenses a; a of the camera or pro-jector, these being disposed senting the 'sections of film which are oppov site the lenses ofFigs. l and 2 `and are being exposed or projected together as a pair, R and G represent the two dierent color filters for the respective lenses It will bel seen that with a camera thus arranged the pictures can be taken in pairs on a film in the order above indicated for two color work and that they can be projected in pairs in superposition by a correspondingly.arranged projector.

Fig. 2 shows a per se known mea-ns of adjusting the distance -apart of the lenses by means of a screw 'g and flat spring p, whereby the carrier 0 of lens a can be moved in grooves in the frame toward or away from the lens a. rllhis adjustment in the case of the camera can serve for adjusting the distance apart of the lenses; in the case of the projector it can serve as known for superposingthe simultaneously projected pictures on the screen.

ln Fig. e c c c2 represent three lenses disposed at equa-l distances apart, such that there is a distance corresponding to the feed of three picture lengths between the pictures opposite them at a givenmoment. rllhe film shift claw in this case feeds the film three picture lengths at a time, so that the pictures are taken in sets of three on the film (Fig. 6) in the order above indicated for three color work, or are projected'in' correspond ing sets of three pictures simultaneously, R G and represent the three difierent color Figs. 7 and.. 8 lshow `apart as above mentioned.

filters for the respective lenses. Fig. 6 shows a similar screw adjustment to that of Fig. 2, applied to the top and bottom lenses Vo 02and serving for adjusting the distance apartof the lenses in taking the pictures or for superposing the pictures on the screen in projecting them as the case may be.

The alternating method above described may with advantage be employed for the production of miniature pictures of say half vthe standard lengthl common in practice.

For this purpose there would be employed a picture shift of the standard pitch and an extended gate provided with suitable openings, in conjunction with the necessary color filters and a battery of lenses suitably spaced apart (or a single lens and mirrors or othcrmeans as above mentioned) in such manner as to take the miniature pictures in sets of two or three simultaneously at intervals Thus for two color work tw'o half length or miniature color sensation records may be taken simultaneously at the separation of two full size f or four half size pictures i. c. with a free space equal to the length of two half size piel tures between them, and the sequence of the pictures on the film may be as above explained for twocolor work. f

F or. three color half-length work, a similar arrangement may be adopted, using a film shift three'times the length or pitch of a half-length or miniature picture, and the4 gate may be made of the length of nine miniature pictures and provided with exposure apertures such that the picture spaces can be exposed in groups of three in the sequence above explained for three color work the other picture spaces on the length of film fed for a given enposure'being masked. When a battery of three lenses is used they would also be spaced at the proper intervals apart.

- ln applying the alternating method above described to the taking of color cinematograph pictures of full standard size, with a battery of lenses, the optical axes of the lenses .will be spaced apart such a distance as to form the simultaneously taken picturesV upon the film at distances apart hereinbefore mentioned for two color work and three color work respectively and the film will be moved two or three times the normal length or dis-v tance at each movement, as the case may be.

rin these cases also a single lens may be employed with suitable mirrors or other means as before described in taking the pictures, instead of a battery of'lenses.

rlhe advantage secured by the wider spacing apart of the lens centers of a battery as employed for taking pictures by the alternatin'g methods described, is that in this way lenses can be employedof larger diameter and having greater rapidity than when the lenses have to cover adjacent spaces. Moreover one is enabled by this method to use Ylensesspaced apart to a distance amply suliicient to permit of their being accommodated in the usual cylindrical lens mounts, and to allow of using ordinary iris diaphragms in highly necessary in cinematography under` Also varying conditions of illumination. such lenses may be of long focus, a point which is likewise usually necessary in cinematography.

l may employ any suitable means for overcoming parallax trouble which may arise with a system of taking two or three pictures with lenses at intervals apart. In particular l may employ any suitable, mirror or prismatic vsystem for catching the image and photographing the reflected or refracted image. For example, mirrors may be disposed to reflect the object through the lenses of the battery.

Suitable arrangements for this purpose for two color and for three color Work re spectively are shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

'ln Fig. 7, for two color Work, there is disposed in front of the lens c a compound" prism consisting of two right angle prisms p p with their oblique faces placed together' and forming a cube of about the size of the full aperture of the lens, the surface of junction of the prisms p79 being at an angle o e5@ to the anis of the lens. rhe junction surface of one of the prisms is coated with a reflecting layer of silver which is partially removed.r` as for example by lines ruled close together irough the silver surface in such manner that the surrace is rendered equally ,iai-ent the Whole area. vrlfhus passes through the compound 4side@ by the partially reflecting I...to two portions one of which passes directly through the cube and the rms au image on the film f at t' her portion of the light is rerioht angles to anis of the lens surface j and second lens a While flected a. by the said oa; ially reflect L through t ou to lle .ns of a totally 'rellectii #ed parallel to the partum so as to direct ,lel to the first niltteo on.

y ,5o. 'three color i 'orlr a similar it employed but 'the compound ists of three right angle prisms to the axis" of the middle lens c wound lens is paced, ie 'junction surfaces vruled closely Vith lines ily partially ree lines on 'one f. ight to The s '-vided into three portions, one of c lengthwise of the ulm in sets each consist- 'ing of a plurality "th their oblique faces in contact The light entering the prism is thus diwhich passes directly through the lens c on to the lilm at a, another is reflected by the surface jg on to a mirror m2 parallel to the'surface jg and which directs it through lens c2 on to the film at while the third portion is reflected by the surface y" on to a mirror m which directs it through lens c on vto the lilm at i.

lt will be understood that positive filmsv prepared from sets of pictures taken'in the alternating` manner explained in any of its modifications will be projected in superposition on the screen, which can be effected in a manner similar to that hereinbefore described, the projector being adapted to project simultaneously and in superposition, the pictures forming aset, and having a double or treble-pitched film shift for tivo and three color work respectivelyj The simultaneously projected pictures will be projected i' with the aid of correspondingly colored beamsof light, intervening pictures of other sets being masked by the opaque portions of the gate of the projector during the projection of the set considered.

The superimposition of the pictures on the screen may be effected by tilting one or more of the lenses in the Way usual in loiunial or triunial optical projection apparatus, or it may be effected by adjusting the centering of the lenses (without tilting) by an arrangement such as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

lt is obvious that instead of shifting the film vertically `in any of the forms of the present invention, it may be shifted'horizontally the lenses being suitably arranged to Corresp ond.

lt is to be understood that the expression of same movement phase as applied to the color sensation records includes not only the simultaneous records of a. moving subject, but also those of stationary subjects.

' lalhat l. claim and desire to secure by lietA ters .'atent is 1- l. Process of color cin'ematogra phy Where in the color sensation records are taken taken siinullianeoi said process compri i color sensation ref taneously but not in conse;y the lilm. the spaces between color sensation records of each cnpicd by color sensatirm reco sets of the saine pic 1re, and r.

' y a predet one sensation in,... 'i

taneously through color filters, said process comprising taking the three diHerent color l i 13, 17, 21, and so on substantially as detaining records of'each set v by lrecords of other sets of scribed.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a cinematographic film bearing `the color sensation records ,in sets, each consisting of a plurality of 'diiferent color sensation records of the same movement phase, the recordsv of each set being film, thespaces between appertaining records of each set being occupied by, records of other sets of the same picture, 'substantially as described.

4. As a. new article of manufacture a positive cinematographic film bearing the color sensation records in sets, each consisting of av plurality of different color sen sation records of the same lmovement phase, the records of each slet being spaced apart on'the film, and the spaces between apperbeing occupied the same picture, substantially as described.

As a new article of manufacture cinematographic films bearing color sensation records in setseach consisting of three color sensation records of the same movement phase spaced apart and arranged in sets in the following, order lengthwise of the lm spaced apart on thev acarrear.

A (calling the picture spaces 1, 2, Sf-n) 1, 5, 9; 4, 8, 12; 7, 11, .15; 10, 14E, 18; 13, 17, 21 and so on substantially as described.

6. Process of cinematography in colors,

comprising simultaneous projection in su,

records of each set being occupied by records',

of other sets, the positive picture lm being fed forward at each shift for a .corresponding multiple of the distance of one record, and the intervening records of the other sets of the picture being masked during the projection of the set considered, substantially as described.

7. That improvement in the art ofcolor cinematography which consists in simultaneously taking a plurality of color sensation records, the records of each simultaneously vtaken set being taken at spaced intervals apart on the film, and then filling in similar manner theI spaces between` appertaining records of a given set with records of another set.

ln witness whereof, li have hereunto e signed my name in theA presence of two subscribing witnesses.A

/COLIN NOEL BENNETT. ll/l/itnesses:

ALFRED BEESLEY CAMPBELL, ROBERT M.V SHEARPOINT. 

